Player Page

Shilique Calhoun | Defensive End

Latest News

Recent News

Raiders selected Michigan State DE Shilique Calhoun with the No. 75 overall pick in the 2016 draft.

Calhoun (6'4/251) was a three-time first-team All-Big Ten pick, finishing his decorated career with 44 tackles for loss, 27 sacks, and four forced fumbles across 42 starts. He tested out as an average to above-average athlete in Indianapolis, running 4.82 with a 35-inch vertical and 9-foot-7 broad jump. Calhoun has a basketball background and long arms (34 1/4"), and showed an obvious knack for pressuring quarterbacks in college. He still has a long way to go as a run defender, and is an old prospect having already turned 24. Calhoun projects as a high-floor, arguably low-ceiling edge rusher in the pros. Apr 29 - 10:15 PM

Prisco actually called Calhoun "one-dimensional" in a complimentary sense, including him on his "Better-Than Team," which runs through the analyst's favorite under-valued prospects in this draft class. "With teaching, he could be a nice pass rusher on the next level," he concluded. PFF is of a similar mind when it comes to the 6-foot-4, 251-pounder, writing in late March that even if his all-around game is somewhat neutered, he could find early NFL success on obvious passing downs. Apr 23 - 7:42 PM

Pro Football Focus analyst Wes Huber believes that Michigan State edge rusher Shilique Calhoun "should, in the very least, be able to contribute as a pass rusher on obvious passing downs early in his career."

Indeed, Calhoun is adept when it comes to chasing after the quarterback. Per Huber, only Ohio State DE Joey Bosa ranked better in the pass-rush aspect last season. The 6-foot-4, 251-pounder has considerably more issues in stopping the run, though. "If he wants to develop into a top-end player, he must improve in run defense," Huber concluded. Huber colleague Jeff Dooley wrote earlier in March that teams are viewing him mostly as a 3-4 outside linebacker and to that point, he actually did positional work as both a linebacker and defensive end during Michigan State's Pro Day last week. Mar 27 - 8:00 PM

During Michigan State edge rusher Shilique Calhoun's Pro Day, the 49ers worked him out at linebacker and the Jets worked him out at defensive lineman.

"Calhoun worked out in space as a linebacker by a San Francisco 49ers assistant coach, and worked out in defensive lineman drills by a New York Jets assistant coach," according to NFL Media senior analyst Gil Brandt. The only testing event he reworked from the Combine was his three-cone drill, which he completed in 7.13 seconds. Otherwise, the 6-foot-4, 251-pound stood by his Combine results. He registered 14.5 TFL and 10.5 sacks in 2015 and has been compared to Andre Branch and Oliver Vernon. Mar 19 - 4:37 PM

Player News

Prisco actually called Calhoun "one-dimensional" in a complimentary sense, including him on his "Better-Than Team," which runs through the analyst's favorite under-valued prospects in this draft class. "With teaching, he could be a nice pass rusher on the next level," he concluded. PFF is of a similar mind when it comes to the 6-foot-4, 251-pounder, writing in late March that even if his all-around game is somewhat neutered, he could find early NFL success on obvious passing downs.

Pro Football Focus analyst Wes Huber believes that Michigan State edge rusher Shilique Calhoun "should, in the very least, be able to contribute as a pass rusher on obvious passing downs early in his career."

Indeed, Calhoun is adept when it comes to chasing after the quarterback. Per Huber, only Ohio State DE Joey Bosa ranked better in the pass-rush aspect last season. The 6-foot-4, 251-pounder has considerably more issues in stopping the run, though. "If he wants to develop into a top-end player, he must improve in run defense," Huber concluded. Huber colleague Jeff Dooley wrote earlier in March that teams are viewing him mostly as a 3-4 outside linebacker and to that point, he actually did positional work as both a linebacker and defensive end during Michigan State's Pro Day last week.

During Michigan State edge rusher Shilique Calhoun's Pro Day, the 49ers worked him out at linebacker and the Jets worked him out at defensive lineman.

"Calhoun worked out in space as a linebacker by a San Francisco 49ers assistant coach, and worked out in defensive lineman drills by a New York Jets assistant coach," according to NFL Media senior analyst Gil Brandt. The only testing event he reworked from the Combine was his three-cone drill, which he completed in 7.13 seconds. Otherwise, the 6-foot-4, 251-pound stood by his Combine results. He registered 14.5 TFL and 10.5 sacks in 2015 and has been compared to Andre Branch and Oliver Vernon.

Pro Football Focus says if Michigan State edge rusher Shilique Calhoun "slips to Day 2, he could be an excellent value pick."

"He graded just slightly above-average against the run last season, and that plus his size (6-foot-4, 251 pounds) likely has most teams viewing him as a 3-4 outside linebacker more than a 4-3 defensive end," Jeff Dooley wrote. Of course, Calhoun's talent is rushing the passer. He earned PFF's top pass-rushing grade among edge defenders last season and produced 78 quarterback pressures, tying Emmanuel Ogbah for the lead among 4-3 DEs. The site sees him as the eighth-most underrated prospect in the entire draft.

Michigan State edge rusher Shilique Calhoun was compared to Olivier Vernon by Sports Illustrated's Doug Farrar, who criticized him for being another "defensive linemen who spend[s] more time dancing around blockers and engaging them with simple hand-wrestling."

"[That tendency] makes his tape less impressive than it could be, but also opens up all kinds of intriguing possibilities with a next-level defensive line coach," Farrar wrote. Farrar ranks Calhoun as the No. 47 overall prospect in the class. "He was a bit of a one-trick pony in college, but based on raw physical tools, I think that Shilique Calhoun will reward the NFL team that takes him with a first few seasons that could rival that of any 4–3 end in this class," Farrar wrote. "When we talk about high-ceiling players, this is a perfect example. At this point, he Vernon comparison is more tied to Vernon’s early NFL career and his time in college." Calhoun posted 14.5 TFL and 10.5 sacks last year.

The analyst sees Calhoun's career taking one of two paths. Either his hand usage gets better and he comes a stud or it doesn't and his destiny is that of a non-sexy, serviceable starter. Zierlein praises the toolbox but says Calhoun needs to get a bit better in run defense before being handed a starting gig. Calhoun helped the Spartans to the Big 10 title and a spot in the College Football Playoff (MSU lost to eventual champion Alabama) last year with 14.5 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks. He made All-American squads the last three seasons, an exceedingly rare accomplishment.

Michigan State edge rusher Shilique Calhoun will not play in the Senior Bowl due to a minor injury.

Earlier on Thursday, his name had been scrubbed from the Senior Bowl roster. The reason wasn't immediately apparent, but it turns out he's been dealing with a minor injury of an undisclosed nature. The 6-foot-5, 250-pounder was expected to play both linebacker and defensive end in the annual postseason bowl. We've seen several players duck their postseason bowls with "nagging" or "minor" injuries. Auburn linebacker Kris Frost did likewise on Thursday for the Shrine Game, while Michigan State QB Connor Cook ruled himself out of the Senior Bowl with a shoulder injury several weeks ago. While we understand protecting yourself heading into a potential big payday, it doesn't help these players' draft stock to be treating these things like Aaron Rogers and Tom Brady treat the NFL Pro Bowl.

Michigan State edge rusher Shilique Calhoun is no longer listed on the Senior Bowl roster.

We assume he's pulled out of the event for a non-injury related reason, but we'll update you on that when more is known. The 6-foot-5, 250-pound Calhoun had been listed by the Senior Bowl as an outside linebacker and we were excited to see him audition on the second level. Since some perceive Calhoun as a DE/OLB tweener, Senior Bowl may have been more important to his evaluation than most others. For whatever reason, he's decided not to follow through on his commitment.

Michigan State edge rusher Shilique Calhoun accepted an invitation to play in the Senior Bowl.

The 6-foot-5, 250-pound Calhoun is being listed by the Senior Bowl as an outside linebacker, so he'll get to show how effective he can be standing up. Calhoun is one of those prospects to whom Senior Bowl week is crucial. Some consider him a slam-dunk first-rounder and others, well, don't. For instance, TFY Draft Insider's Tony Pauline pegs Calhoun as a third-rounder, calling him a DE/OLB tweener.

The 6-foot-5, 250-pound Calhoun had a solid outing this past weekend, in the Spartan's 16-13 win over Iowa, recording six tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks and a forced fumble in the big win. While Brugler believes Calhoun's stock is on the rise, TFY Draft Insider's Tony Pauline, sees the Michigan State prospect as more of a third-round selection due to concerns over him being something of a tweener between defensive end and linebacker.

Michigan State edge rusher Shilique Calhoun has been incited to the Senior Bowl.

Calhoun's snap percentage is close to 90 percent, which is ridiculous for a defensive lineman. Keep that in mind when evaluators question the peak and valleys of his effort or success. Calhoun will play in a rotation in the NFL, which could aid his impact early on.

"Calhoun launches out of his stance with low pad level, but stout blockers can neutralize him as he struggles to win with power once his initial momentum is halted," Brugler wrote. The 6-foot-5, 250-pound Calhoun is currently leading the Spartans defense in sacks (5.0) and tackles for loss (6.0) so far this season.

Michigan State senior edge rusher Shilique Calhoun was named the co-Big 10 Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts in Saturday's 30-10 win over Central Michigan.

In Saturday's win, Calhoun logged 2.5 sacks and three total tackles for loss. He also was initially awarded with a blocked field goal, though on review it turned out that teammate Demetrius Cooper got his hand on the ball. The 6-foot-5, 250-pound Calhoun now ranks sixth all-time on the school sack ledger with 21 career quarterback takedowns. He'll almost certainly be drafted in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft, though some, such as TFY Draft Insider's Tony Pauline, view him as more of a third-round selection due to concerns over him being something of a tweener between defensive end and linebacker.

Michigan State senior edge rusher Shilique Calhoun registered three tackles for loss, 2.5 of which were sacks, in the school's 30-10 win over Michigan State.

Many were surprised when the three Michigan State prospects returned for the 2015 season (Calhoun, Jack Conklin and Connor Cook) but it is paying off thus far. Calhoun is a big and log edge rusher (6'5/250 lbs) with some burst. The Spartans face Purdue next.